Why the Massif Central?
The Massif Central is the upland area in the heart of France – not an area of high mountains like the Alps but an area of rolling hill and sweeping plateaux. This book is a guide to the rivers running off this upland – these rivers don’t have the gradient or the power of Alpine rivers so they offer easier and friendlier paddling – ideal for families, canoe camping, or as a warm-up to kayaking in the Pyrénées or the Alps. The northern part of these uplands is predominantly volcanic in origin, so the rivers tend to be steep-sided valleys with basalt cliffs in places. In the south the rock is limestone, and the rivers have cut spectacular and famous gorges through these limestone plateaux – the Gorges de l’Ardèche and the Gorges du Tarn are perhaps the most famous. Because it’s a guide to the rivers this guide covers more than just the upland area, but takes us down into the historic river valleys at the heart of France – the land of ancient fortresses, beautiful châteax, and timeless vil
